Opening This Week:

AMREEKA —Drama about a Palestinian woman and her young son who emigrate to a small town in Illinois during the early days of the Iraq War. Starring Nisreen Faour, Melkar Muallem and Alia Shawkat. Directed by Cherien Dabis. Reviewed this issue. North Park

ETC:

ANN ARBOR FILM FESTIVAL—New edition of the traveling showcase for short films, this time accompanied by the festival’s executive director Donald Harrison. Fri. 8pm. Squeaky Wheel, 712 Main St (884-7172) www.squeaky.org

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND—Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as lovers who break up and and undergo a process by which their memories are stripped of the relationship. Written by Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich and Adaptation), it’s a bit dour for mainstream audiences. But it’s smart, consistent and, of course, wildly inventive. Co-starring Tom Wilkinson, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst and Mark Ruffalo. Directed by Michel Gondry (Be Kind Rewind), Sat. midnight. Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main St. (834-7655) www.dipsontheatres.com.

GASLIGHT (1944)—Classic psychological thriller starring Ingrid Bergman as an innocent heiress whose husband tries to drive her into insanity. With Charles Boyer, Joseph Cotton, Dame May Whitty and Angela Lansbury. Directed by George Cukor (My Fair Lady). Fri-Sat 9 pm. The Screening Room, Northtown Plaza in the Century Mall, 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst 837-0376

GORE—Premiere of a locally produced horror anthology. See the feature article this issue. Sat. 3:30pm. Hamburg Palace Theatre, 31 Buffalo St, Hamburg (649-2295) www.hamburgpalace.com

KNIFE IN THE WATER (Poland, 1962)—Roman Polanski’s first feature film (and the only one he made in his native country) is a fully mature work demonstrating all of the themes that would preoccupy his later career. Set entirely on a sailboat, the film follows the shifting tensions between a middle-aged couple and the young hitchhiker they bring along with them for a day’s cruise. Presented as part of the Buffalo Film Seminar. Tues 7 pm, Market Arcade Film and Arts Center, 639 Main St. (855-3022).

REYNOLD REYNOLDS—The Berlin-based media artist will present and discuss his most recent 16mm films, including Secret Life, Secret Machine, and Six Apartments. Co-sponsored by the University at Buffalo Department of Visual Studies. Tue. 8pm. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave. (854-1694) www.hallwalls.org

THE WAY WE GET BY—Documentary about a group of senior citizens in Bangor Maine who have made it their duty to greet servicemen returning from overseas service. Directed by Aron Gaudet. Sat 8pm; Tue 7:30pm. Fredonia Opera House, 9 Church St. Fredonia (716-679-0891) www.fredopera.org

SITA SINGS THE BLUES-A substantial cult already exists for this 2D animated film, restricted from sale by copyright laws, in which an American woman retells a 3,000 Sanskrit epic about a woman rejected by a worthless husband as a jazz musical that is continually reinventing itself. Fri-Sat 7:30pm,.The Screening Room, 3131 Sheridan Drive in the Northtown Plaza (837-0376) www.screeningroom.net